Communications/Journalism degree vs English Degree

[Anonymous]

I did communications at AU. It is a good program with a professional bent (which was appealing to me), but I agree with the PP who mentioned internships. They are key. Also, definitely recommend a second major or minor in something outside the field.

[Anonymous]

Both are garbage

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. That does look like an interesting program. I don't understand why people think Communication degrees are weak. I look on line at schools like Tufts, BU, BC, American, Cornell, Penn, and they all seem to have interesting communication/mass media departments. If these programs are weak, why do the schools have them? I appreciate the input because when you are looking online, these programs all seem like good spring boards for a career but I don't want to pay money for college and have employers snub the degree. I appreciate the different perspectives before my dc goes to college. Thanks!

I would also look at Newhouse at Syracuse U.

I wouldn't write off communications based on an anonymous post. Yes, working as a traditional print "journalist" is more difficult in terms of number of opportunities and the same may be true for traditional broadcasting jobs, however, the media isn't going anywhere just the formats are changing.

I'd have your DC contact the alumni networks of their grads to get a sense of where they end up. It also would be a great opportunity to informationally interview people working in the field of interest and getting a sense of how they prepared.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you everyone for different perspectives. It seems no matter the major, getting internships is key. This is good to know when looking at colleges if they are able to place students. I saw that Emory has stopped their journalism major. That is too bad with CNN right there.

[Anonymous]

CNN sucks, those losers should be taking classes at Emory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would also look at Newhouse at Syracuse U.

Depends who's paying.

[Anonymous]

Community journalism is definitely struggling, but I'd also add that trade journalism in DC is alive and well. There's so many trade publications because companies are willing to pay good money to know what the government is doing. Also, covering Washington as a journalist is a different kind of education. So much that goes on with the federal government deals with science (for example, DoD) and many of the subject matters (health, defense, energy, tax, for example) can be very difficult to learn as opposed to, say, writing about sports.

The industry is definitely very negative, but depending on your situation (marriage, kids, etc), if you're willing to stay in DC for the long haul, you can "make" it.

[Anonymous]

Communications majors are puff majors. Major in English; poli sci, anything else but. No journalism major is worth it except for perhaps Columbia's program.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I understand the difference of opinion between communications/journalism degree vs studying a subject in more depth at the college level like Economics or History. I do wonder about the results after college. These students that graduate from Syracuse, American, Cornell, Penn, BU, Northwestern must be getting jobs with their communication/journalism degrees through internships. I just wonder what the results are for students in the field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just an FYI, but the police departments aren't looking for people with criminal justice degrees they would prefer ones with business management, accounting etc.

Huh? Why?

And how many police officers actually have college degrees?

I represent cops a lot as an attorney. Every officer you have met in the last 20 years probably has a minimum of at least an AA degree. Every department requires a minimum of an AA for hiring new officers. For most state police departments, you need a BA or BS or a stint in the military.

Officers with more advanced degrees (often in business) are pretty common, business degrees are especially helpful if they are looking towards promotion into management positions.

BTW, I've met lots of fire fighters with both bachelors and advanced degrees, too.

[Anonymous]

If OP's daughter is interested in a double-major, why not double in journalism and something more substantive like business or a STEM major? STEM journalism is a great field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If OP's daughter is interested in a double-major, why not double in journalism and something more substantive like business or a STEM major? STEM journalism is a great field.

OP here. That is a good idea. My dc is doing well in science and math but does not think about going in that direction. (Has no interest in med school or engineering) Maybe a little nudge to combining majors would have added value. College is so expensive now and trying to think ahead to the outcome and options after college is daunting. Things seem to change so fast. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Journalists have all kinds of degrees. Look at various people's educational backgrounds on magazines and newspapers...it's all over the place. Lots of English and Comparative lit, various social sciences, the occasional hard science or econ major, etc. I think if that's what she really wants to do, getting internship experience and writing for her college's paper (especially if it is a highly regarded college paper) to make connections is going to be more important than what her degree is in.

Former journalist here (20 years):

Major in something else. You need something to write about. Journalism is a trade, not a profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. That does look like an interesting program. I don't understand why people think Communication degrees are weak. I look on line at schools like Tufts, BU, BC, American, Cornell, Penn, and they all seem to have interesting communication/mass media departments. If these programs are weak, why do the schools have them? I appreciate the input because when you are looking online, these programs all seem like good spring boards for a career but I don't want to pay money for college and have employers snub the degree. I appreciate the different perspectives before my dc goes to college. Thanks!

I'm a former academic-the reputation of Communications departments is that they attract the weakest students, and that students who wash out in other departments end up in Communications. That's not always a fair-some departments have rigorous courses and strong students, but at some schools it is accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. That does look like an interesting program. I don't understand why people think Communication degrees are weak. I look on line at schools like Tufts, BU, BC, American, Cornell, Penn, and they all seem to have interesting communication/mass media departments. If these programs are weak, why do the schools have them? I appreciate the input because when you are looking online, these programs all seem like good spring boards for a career but I don't want to pay money for college and have employers snub the degree. I appreciate the different perspectives before my dc goes to college. Thanks!

I'm a former academic-the reputation of Communications departments is that they attract the weakest students, and that students who wash out in other departments end up in Communications. That's not always a fair-some departments have rigorous courses and strong students, but at some schools it is accurate.

My dc is a very strong student. I would not want them to work so hard in high school and then get to college and work for a degree that will not add value. It is confusing because my dc who is very motivated looks on line and the communication programs sound exciting with lots of opportunities for writing/reporting etc.